Filing cabinet



June 9, 1936. J, A HEDGES FILING CABINET FiledJune 10, 1935 Patented June 9, 1936 vUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to the disposition of correspondence, records, documents, or the like, and has among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved filing cabinet.

The invention embodies certain improvements over my co-pending application Ser. No. 728,760.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet unit, partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a View illustrating a number of units arranged in stacked relation;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the interconnecting clips.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, I make use of a drawer I0 and a cover I2. The drawer I0 is slidably supported upon two runners I4 integrally connected with a cross part I6. 'Ihese runners are L-shaped in cross section, with the horizontal flanges supporting the load and the vertical flanges supporting the tray against lateral shifting. I connect a metallic strap I8 across the ends of the runners I4 for bracing purposes.

A pair of supporting loops 2U is connected with the runners I4 for supporting the cover I2. The top of the cover fits snugly against the bights 22, while Vthe flanges 24 of the cover lie adjacent the vertical reaches 26 of the loops 20. These loops are channel-shaped in cross section. Rivets 28 connect the cover I2 with the bights 22.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the cover I2 comprises a fiber board shell 30 bent to denne the flanges 24, which anges are reenforced bywood strips 32. These strips may be glued or riveted to the flanges 24 and lie in a plane common to the walls 34 of the tray. I cut the ends 36 of the strip 32 at an angle corresponding to the angularity of the inclined edge 38 of the walls 34. These ends and edges are arranged in juxtaposed relation when the drawer I0 is closed.

In Fig. 2, the flanges 24 lie in the same plane as the Vertical flanges of the runners I4.

I provide means for stacking units according to Fig. l in nested relation. To this end, the lower end of each vertical reach 26 carries a pin 40.

This pin passes through aligned openings in its respective vertical reach 26 and the vertical ange of the runner I4, and has one end riveted as at 42 and a liange 44 bearing against the bight part of the reach 26. This p-in extends beyond the flange 44 and provides a connecting element for a clip 46 having an opening for the reception of the pin (see Fig. 4) Y Each reach 26 is provided with a screw 48 near its upper end. These screws have threaded relation with the bight of the vertical reaches V26. The clips 48 are slotted to receive the screws 48. Y The slotted feature provides adjustment so that the clips may be easily connected with the pins 40. Thus, the runners I4 of an upper unit rests upon the horizontal parts of the loops 20 associated with the unit underneath.

After the units have been stacked, the clips 46 are connected with the pins 40 and the screws 48 tightened. The clips 46 prevent lateral shifting of the stacked units as well as vertical separation, and tie the units into a rigid assembly. When the units are used individually, the clips 46 are housed within the channel-shaped reaches 26. Diagonal braces 59 are riveted to the runners I4 and one of the loops 20 for bracing the loops.

It will be noted that the loops 29 support the load of the superimposed units. In this way, the load of each tray is limited to the contents therein. My construction eliminates the necessity for an enclosing shell for all the drawers. The individual units are kept apart from association with other units, and the grouping of 'units may be accomplished without changing or adjusting the individual units.

Since the load is transmitted to the loop structure, the drawer IIJ together with the cover may comprise materials having relatively little cornpressive strength. The cover I2 supports no load. 'Ihe units stack in regular formation, while the construction of the units is such as to permit complete vvithdrawal of the drawers. The flanges 24 co-operate with the side walls 34 in such a manner as to provide a dust-tight relation.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain my invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

1. In a ling device, two tray supporting frames arranged in stacked relation, each frame including vertical reaches, the vertical reaches of one frame being arranged in end to end alignment with the vertical reaches of the other frame, each vertical reach of the upper frame being provided with a laterally projecting pin near its lower end, each vertical reach of the lower frame being provided with a fastening screw, and a clip carried by each screw, each clip being slotted longitudinally for loosely receiving its respective VVVze? o i fastening screw, the other lend of Veach clip being provided with an opening for loosely receiving the pin carried by the associated vertical reach of the upp'er'frame, said'clips being rrnly secured to said pins when safid screws are tightened.`

2. In a lingrrr device, two tray supporting frames arranged in stackedrrelation, eachVV frame including a. vertical reach U-shaped in cross section, the bight of the Vupper reach being provid-Y ed with a. pin projecting laterally therefrom,k a!

saidV clip including an opening for loosely receiving said pin, the clip being iirmly connected with the pin when said screw is. turneddown;V

Y JAMESV A. 

